Tao Te Ching #59: “The Way of extended life and sustained reflection”

To govern the human and serve the divine,nothing compares to frugality.Only frugality brings early recovery;early recovery means buildup of power.Build up virtue,and you master all.When you master all,no one knows your limit.When no one knows your limit,you can maintain a nation.When you maintain the matrix of a nation,you can last long.This is called making the roots deep and the basis firm,the Way of long life and eternal vision.

– Thomas Cleary

In governing people and caring for Heavennothing surpasses economyeconomy means planning aheadplanning ahead means accumulating virtueaccumulating virtue means overcoming allovercoming all means knowing no limitknowing no limit means guarding the realmand guarding the realm’s mother means living longwhich means deep roots and a solid trunkthe Way of a long and lasting life

– Red Pine

For ruling men, for serving heaven,Nothing surpasses having in store.For it is having in storeThat we call taking precaution.And taking precaution we callBent on amassing one’s powers.Bent on amassing one’s powersMeans overcoming all obstacles.Overcoming all obstacles Means having no known turning point.Having no known turning pointGives dominion over the kingdom.The mother-source of this dominionYields staying power—What is known as deep roots and strong base,The Way of extended life and sustained reflection.